What to study for the exams:

NDT Basic
Topical Outline
This examination is 4 hours in length, having 135 questions of equal value.
1. Administration of NDT personnel certification programs

SNT-TC-1A, 2011 edition

ASNT CP-189, 2011 edition

2. General familiarity with other NDT methods

Radiography (safety, X-ray, and isotope methods)

Neutron radiography

Ultrasonic testing

Eddy current and flux leakage testing

Liquid penetrant testing

Magnetic particle testing

Leak testing

Acoustic emission testing

Visual testing

Thermal/infrared

Vibration analysis
3. Materials, fabrication, and production technology

Properties of materials, origin of discontinuities, and failure modes

Materials processing (casting, welding, forging, brazing, soldering, machining, heat

treatment, surface treatment, adhesive bonding, etc.)

Dimensional metrology
References
The number in parentheses following each reference is the ASNT catalog number.
Level III Study Guide: Basic (2251)
SNT-TC-1A (2011 edition) (2071)
Supplement to Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A: Complete Set of Supplements, Plus
Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A (2011 edition) (2192)
Materials and Processes for NDT Technology (2250)
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 (2011 edition) (2508)
NDT Handbook: Volume 10, NDT Overview (140)
ASM Handbook Vol. 17, NDE and QC (105)

About Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)

Magnetic Particle Testing uses one or more magnetic fields to locate surface and near-surface
discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials. The magnetic field can be applied with a permanent
magnet or an electromagnet. When using an electromagnet, the field is present only when the
current is being applied. When the magnetic field encounters a discontinuity transverse to the
direction of the magnetic field, the flux lines produce a magnetic flux leakage field of their own.

Topical Outline
This examination is 2 hours in length, having 90 questions of equal value.

Principles/Theory
Principles of magnets and magnetic fields
Characteristics of magnetic fields
Equipment/Materials
Magnetic particle test equipment
Inspection materials
Technique/Calibrations
Magnetization by means if electric current
Selecting the proper method of magnetization
Demagnetization
Interpretation/Evaluation
Procedures
Safety and Health

References
The number in parentheses following each reference is the ASNT catalog number.
Level III Study Guide: Magnetic Particle Testing, Second Edition (2253)
NDT Handbook: Third Edition, Volume 8, Magnetic Testing (148)
Supplement to Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A (Q&A) Book Magnetic Particle Method,
Second Edition (2027)
About Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT)
The basic principle of liquid penetrant testing is that when a very low viscosity (highly fluid) liquid
(the penetrant) is applied to the surface of a part, it will penetrate into fissures and voids open to the
surface. Once the excess penetrant is removed, the penetrant trapped in those voids will flow back
out, creating an indication.
Topical Outline
This examination is 2 hours in length, having 90 questions of equal value.

Principles/Theory
Principles of liquid penetrant process
Theory
Proper selection of PT as method of choice
Liquid penetrant processing
Equipment/Materials
Liquid penetrant test units
Methods of measurement
Lighting for liquid penetrant testing
Materials for liquid penetrant testing
Testing and maintenance of materials

Interpretation/Evaluation
General
Factor affecting indications
Indications from discontinuities
Relevant and Nonrelevant indications
Procedures
Liquid penetrant testing procedures, codes, standards and specifications
Safety and Health
Toxicity
Flammability
Electrical hazards
Personnel protective equipment
Right to know (MSDS)
Disposal of used materials

References
The number in parentheses following each reference is the ASNT catalog number.
Level III Study Guide: Liquid Penetrant Testing (2255)
NDT Handbook: Volume 2, Liquid Penetrant Tests (142, 142CD, 142WCD)
Supplement to Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A (Q&A Book) - Liquid Penetrant Testing
Method, Revised Edition (2029)
About Radiographic Testing (RT)
Industrial radiography involves exposing a test object to penetrating radiation so that the radiation
passes through the object being inspected and a recording medium placed against the opposite side
of that object. For thinner or less dense materials such as aluminum, electrically generated xradiation (X-rays) are commonly used, and for thicker or denser materials, gamma radiation is
generally used.
Topical Outline
This examination is 4 hours in length, having 135 questions of equal value.

Principles and Theory

Equipment/Materials
Electrically generated sources
Particulate radiation sources
Radiation detectors
Techniques/Calibration
Imaging considerations
Film processing
Viewing of radiographs
Judging radiographic quality
Exposure calculations
Radiographic techniques
Interpretation and Evaluation

Procedures
Safety and Health
Exposure hazards
Methods of controlling radiation exposure
Operational and emergency procedures
Dosimetry and Film Badges

References
The number in parentheses following each reference is the ASNT catalog number.
Level III Study Guide: Radiographic Testing (2259)
NDT Handbook: Volume 4, Radiographic Testing (144, 144CD, 144WCD)
Supplement to Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A (Q&A Book) - Radiographic Testing
Method (2026)
Working Safety in Radiography (232)
About Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
Ultrasonic testing uses the same principle as is used in naval SONAR and fish finders. Ultra-high
frequency sound is introduced into the part being inspected and if the sound hits a material with a
different acoustic impedance (density and acoustic velocity), some of the sound will reflect back to
the sending unit and can be presented on a visual display. By knowing the speed of the sound
through the part (the acoustic velocity) and the time required for the sound to return to the sending
unit, the distance to the reflector (the indication with the different acoustic impedance) can be
determined.
Topical Outline
This examination is 4 hours in length, having 135 questions of equal value.

Principles/Theory
Equipment/Materials
Techniques/Calibrations
o Contact
o Immersion
o Comparison of contact and immersion methods
o Remote monitoring
o Calibration (electronic and functional)
Interpretation/Evaluations
o Evaluation of base metal product forms
o Evaluation of weldments
o Evaluation of bonded structures
o Variables affecting test results
o Evaluation (general)
Procedures
o Specific applications
o Codes/Standards/Specifications
Safety and Health

References
The number in parentheses following each reference is the ASNT catalog number.
Level III Study Guide: Ultrasonic Testing (2261)
NDT Handbook: Volume 7, Ultrasonic Testing (147)
Supplement to Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A (Q&A Book) - Ultrasonic Testing Method
(2028)
Ultrasonics: Fundamentals, Technology, Applications (341)

About Visual Testing (VT)

Visual testing is the most commonly used test method in industry. Because most test methods
require that the operator look at the surface of the part being inspected, visual inspection is inherent
in most of the other test methods. As the name implies, VT involves the visual observation of the
surface of a test object to evaluate the presence of surface discontinuities. VT inspections may be
by Direct Viewing, using line-of sight vision, or may be enhanced with the use of optical instruments
such as magnifying glasses, mirrors, boroscopes, charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and computerassisted viewing systems (Remote Viewing). Corrosion, misalignment of parts, physical damage
and cracks are just some of the discontinuities that may be detected by visual examinations.
Topical Outline
This examination is 2 hours in length, having 90 questions of equal value.

Fundamentals
Vision and light
Ambient conditions
Test object characteristics
Equipment Accessories
Magnifiers/microscopes
Mirrors
Dimensional
Borescopes
Video systems
Machine vision
Replication
Temperature indicating devices and materials
Chemical aids
Surface comparators
Lasers
Applications and Requirements
Raw materials
Primary process materials
Joining processes
Fabricated components
In-service materials
Coatings
Other applications

Requirements
Variables Affecting Results of interpretation/ Evaluations
Equipment including type and intensity of light
Material including the variations of surface finish
Discontinuity
Determination of dimensions (ie: depth, width, length, etc.)
Sampling/scanning
Process for reporting visual discontinuities
Personnel (human factors)
Documentation
Safety

References
The number in parentheses following each reference is the ASNT catalog number.
Level III Study Guide: Visual and Optical Testing (2263)
NDT Handbook, 3rd Edition, Vol. 9, Visual Testing (149)
ASM Handbook Vol. 17, NDE and QC (105)
Supplement to SNT-TC-1A: VT (Q & A Book) (2034)
Materials and Processes for NDT Technology (2250)